2025 Southern Zone Senior LC Championships
- July 30-August 2, 2025
- Tupelo Aquatic Center, Tupelo, Mississippi
- Long Course Meters (50 Meters)
- Results
The 2025 Southern Zone Championships in Tupelo saw multiple age group swimmers impress with performances that challenged senior swimmers for the podium positions.
The most impressive performer at the meet was SwimAtlanta’s Parker Wheeler. Wheeler qualified for this meet at just 12 years old, and threw down a litany of fast swims.
Wheeler clocked 27.46 in the boy’s 50 free, 1:04.50 in the boy’s 100 fly, 2:27.54 in the boy’s 200 IM, and 9:07.72 in the boy’s 800 free. He made the final in the boys’ 50 fly, stopping the clock in 27.53, and the boys’ 100 free, touching in 58.39.
Wheeler did not manage to improve upon his best times in any of his events, all of which are formidable. He has swum a top-10 time this season in the 11-12 age group in each event he competed in at this meet. Most notably, he is ranked 3rd in the 100 free (56.49), 2nd in the 800 free (9:03.14), and 2nd in the 50 fly (27.17).
Thibodaux Regional Swim Team’s Jonathan Husbands, 14, earned a spot on the podium in the boys’ 50 freestyle, touching the wall in a lifetime best of 24.08. His time made him the 4th fastest 13-14 boy in the event this season. He dropped time in the boy’s 100 free as well, clocking 55.45 to become the 90th fastest 13-14 year old boy this season. Husbands capped his meet off with the 10th fastest boys’ 13-14 50 backstroke this season, 27.81, in the leadoff leg of the boys’ 200 medley relay for Thibodaux Regional Swim Team’s ‘A’ team.
Thirteen-year-old Leighton Haver laid down stellar performances in each of the girls’ backstroke events, swimming to 4th place in each race. The Sharks Swim Club swimmer clocked 32.06 in the girls’ 50 back, and swam to personal bests in the 100 and 200, touching the wall in 1:09.01 and 2:30.06, respectively.
Multiple senior swimmers at the meet put in impressive performances as well.
Thibodaux Regional Swim Team’s Bryce Naquin, 18, had the highest medal tally of the meet. He won gold in the boys’ 50 back (27.84), 100 free (52.53), and 100 fly (56.72), and took silver in the boys’ 50 fly (25.54), 50 free (24.06), and 200 free (1:58.59).
Houston Bridge Bats’ Zoe Parks swept the girls’ backstroke events. She took the girl’s 50 back in a lifetime best of 30.50, the girl’s 100 back in 1:05.85, and the girl’s 200 back in 2:22.90.
William & Mary swimmer Leighton Chapman saw success in the sprint events, winning the boys’ 50 free and 50 fly. He touched the wall in personal bests of 23.49 and 25.18, respectively. Leighton swam for the Dads Club Swim Team.
Other Notable Performances
- Thibodaux Regional Swim Team’s AJ Lafont won the boys’ 200 breast in a best-ever time of 2:30.30. He also took gold in the boys’ 200 IM (2:12.98) and 400 IM (4:45.57).
- Thibodaux Regional Swim Team’s Elizabeth Benoit won the girls’ 100 free (59.98), 200 free (2:08.93), and 400 free (4:36.19).
- Thibodaux Regional Swim Team’s Kristina Dipietro won the girls’ 100 fly (1:04.29) and 200 fly (2:21.42), and swept the IM events, clocking 2:27.81 in the 200 and 5:11.06 in the 400.
Final Team Standings
Boys
- Dads Club Swim Team: 1462.5
- Thibodaux Regional Swim Team: 1184.5
- Sharks Swim Club: 939
- City of Lafayette Aquatics: 713.5
- Fulshear Racing Swim Team: 661
Girls
- Tiger Sharks of Texas: 1367.5
- Texas Elite Swim Team: 1103
- Sharks Swim Club: 984
- Fulshear Racing Swim Team: 922
- Dads Club Swim Team: 631
Great job Parker!!